Greetings Oasis Reading Mentors!
Welcome to Mentor Monday – September 2021 Version.
Welcome to all 140 of our returning volunteers and welcome to 51 new recruits!
For those volunteers still on the team but currently not active – you are missed.
*I understand and appreciate that everyone must decide their comfort level for returning to the schools. Yes, we all must be vaccinated and wearing a mask to volunteer with a student this year. Furthermore, we now all must have a fingerprint background clearance which is valid for two years. The goal is to have all active volunteers mentoring by October… Changes, changes.
*So, the following is a list of APS schools who have welcomed us into their community this year along with one Bernalillo school. If you have been placed/scheduled in a school, thank you for starting that process. If the school of your choice is not on this list, please contact me and we will review options.
7 Bar; A. Montoya; Alvarado; Arroyo del Oso; Chelwood; Comanche; Corrales; Dennis Chavez; Duranes; E.G. Ross; Emerson; Georgia O’Keeffe; Helen Cordero; Hodgin; Inez; La Luz; Lew Wallace; Manzano Mesa; Mark Twain; McCollum; Mission Avenue; Mountain View; North Star; Painted Sky; San Antonito; Sombra del Monte; Tres Volcanes; Valle Vista; Whittier; Zuni & W.D. Carroll, Bernallio
Our Oasis office is open to the public. To enter, you must be masked and will be asked to show proof of vaccination. Our library is open for use Monday – Thursday, 9am – 4pm and Friday 9am – 3:30pm. WE have 7000 titles now! We do have library cards for all current Oasis volunteer reading mentors. If you do not have an Oasis library card, please let us know prior to selecting books and we will print a copy or give you the code. The program resources – All About Me and The Journal are available in the library.
I am thrilled to share that our status with APS has increased from essential to critical as they believe we will play an important role in helping students by conversing, reading, and simply committing to supporting them in their academic growth. We keep hearing the buzz words – “social emotional learning” – this year. I would argue that our literacy approach and the time spent talking with and supporting the student has always promoted that growth.
Here is a little classical, calming music; an inspiring kid tested plan; and something silly for your enjoyment.
Line Rider Race- Who Will Survive?
Stan’s Pearls of Mentoring Wisdom
The Wonky Donkey – Scottish laughing Grandma! ( For those who are new or simply want to laugh again)
Thank you to each and every one of you. Thank you. I hope you know that your time, talents and commitment are truly appreciated.
Happy reading,
Vicki
I woke up mulling over the thought below. I think it was triggered by Stan’s Pearls of Wisdom.
After a school year of tears and cheers learning how to survive and thrive in a virtual environment (thanks to the incredible folks at Lew Wallace Elementary School), I am returning to Oasis ready to face a new year. Why?… because it occurred to me that we expect children to step out of their comfort zones all the time. We expect them to be instantly ready to experience and learn things they never imagined possible, important, relevant or even interesting. If we expect this of children, it’s only fair to expect it of ourselves. We teach/mentor our students through modeling so we need to be prepared to share and shape their experiences. In addition, being on the edge helps us continue to grow and thrive – originally I added, “albeit with a little pain”, but the athletes among us (a group in which I am NOT included) are fond of saying, “no pain, no gain”. So let’s step over the bumps in the road caused or intensified by the current pandemic and go out there and have a great school year!
Thanks!
Hi all! One of our volunteers sent me an email this week and authorized me to share her words with you…
I woke up mulling over the thought below. I think it was triggered by Stan’s Pearls of Wisdom.
After a school year of tears and cheers learning how to survive and thrive in a virtual environment (thanks to the incredible folks at Lew Wallace Elementary School), I am returning to Oasis ready to face a new year. Why?… because it occurred to me that we expect children to step out of their comfort zones all the time. We expect them to be instantly ready to experience and learn things they never imagined possible, important, relevant or even interesting. If we expect this of children, it’s only fair to expect it of ourselves. We teach/mentor our students through modeling so we need to be prepared to share and shape their experiences. In addition, being on the edge helps us continue to grow and thrive – originally, I added, “albeit with a little pain”, but the athletes among us (a group in which I am NOT included) are fond of saying, “no pain, no gain”. So, let’s step over the bumps in the road caused or intensified by the current pandemic and go out there and have a great school year!
Thanks, Valerie!